A coastal town is in uproar today after it was revealed yet another coffee shop will open this year - the 15th along its 550-yard high street.
Christchurch in Dorset is overflowing with cafes with shoppers able to pop into one for a hot drink approximately every 36 yards.
Last year local councillors refused permission for a Coffee#1 branch to move in arguing it would break its rule of having no more than 30 per cent of shops as food and drink outlets.
But bosses of the chain have appealed and won their case, after it was ruled it would be unfair to stop the proposed branch.
Inspector Sophie Edwards agreed with Coffee#1 that filling the former Shoe Zone store, which had been abandoned since 2017, is more 'beneficial' to the town and its other shops than keeping it empty.
These are the 15 coffee shops in Christchurch along its 550-yard high street, which has outraged locals
The local council wanted the 15th coffee shop in the town (pictured) stopped but the national planning inspector overturned its decision
The ruling has caused fury among shoppers and local businesses who say that the explosion of coffee houses has got to stop, comparing it to the plethora of charity shops that also dominate high streets across the country.
Councillors in Christchurch had refused the application for Coffee#1 to open in an empty shop.
But bosses of the growing national cafe chain managed to overturn their decision on appeal.
An inspector overruled the decision not to let them take over the empty former Shoe Zone store in Christchurch, Dorset.
Councillors rejected the scheme last year as they felt the balance of food outlets to retail outlets would tip too far.
Cafes are classed as 'non-retail' stores in local policy documents - and it was argued that this would breach the 30% non-retail limit in Christchurch.
But Coffee#1 successfully argued that the Shoe Zone had been empty for a considerable amount of time and despite 'an extensive marketing exercise' nobody had taken the grade II listed building on.
Inspector Sophie Edwards' report said: 'I accept that the council is seeking to preserve the retail function of Christchurch Town Centre and is concerned with the proliferation of non-retail uses within this area.
'However, rather than adversely affecting the vitality and viability of Christchurch Town Centre, the proposed use would complement the offer in this area and attract footfall for longer periods of the day and evening, which in turn would be beneficial to existing retailers.'
Christchurch resident Judith Lewis, 78, said there are already too many coffee shops in the town and said: 'There are far too many coffee shops and cafes and it is terrible actually.
'We used to have lots of independent retail shops here but for some reason they've all gone now.
'Don't get me wrong, it's nice to go out and get a coffee but there are far too many and it's gone beyond healthy competition now.'
Fellow local Jackie Elleby, 70, said: 'Coffee shops and charity shops - that's all you seem to get now.
'I've lived in the area for over 30 years and it is definitely noticeable the
